The apple of my eye

Robyn has recognised the importance of the need for the project (called Open Orchard), marshalled a team of volunteers to do the work, inspired the Southlanders who have the remnants of orchards or individual apple trees on their properties, visited scores of old, failing orchards to collect grafting material, categorised each and every one of the trees, sampled and recorded the qualities of the apples from each tree, spoken to dozens of groups about the project, applied for funds to support the project (money for petrol - there's a LOT of travel involved), spoken to school groups about starting a heritage orchard, interviewed many, many eldery people for whom the apple trees hold special significance, done radio interviews and television appearances to promote the idea and generally held the project together for four years now as it grew and grew.

She's a remarkably determined and clear thinking woman! She taught herself the art of grafting and has held workshops in most Southland towns to pass on her skills so that others can manage the trees. Robyn is an inspirer and refuses to 'scale down' her project when it seems to be getting too big. She excludes no-one and invites all manner of people to take a role in what she considers to be a vital project. She's remarkable.